OVA
Description
Lieutenant Oliver May serves as an Engineering Lieutenant in the Principality of Zeon's 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit during the One Year War. Stationed aboard the repurposed cargo ship *Jotunheim*, he specializes in collecting combat data and evaluating experimental mobile weapons for the Zeon military. His duties require testing prototypes in live combat to assess their practicality and effectiveness, with his reports directly impacting deployment choices.
Dedicated to engineering and data, May approaches his work with enthusiasm for technological potential but feels sadness when successful prototypes are discarded. He maintains honesty in expressing his thoughts and concerns regarding military decisions. His initial focus on technical achievements evolves as he repeatedly witnesses test pilots sacrifice their lives for flawed or politically compromised projects, deepening his awareness of war's human cost.
Early assignments include evaluating the QCX-76A Jormungand plasma cannon during the Battle of Loum, where targeting failures necessitate his frontline observation. Subsequent missions involve testing the YMT-05 Hildolfr mobile tank on Earth, where he learns Zeon leadership plans to discard it regardless of results, and assessing the EMS-10 Zudah mobile suit. Propaganda promotes the Zudah as advanced despite known structural flaws, culminating in test pilot Jean-Luc Duvall's heroic sacrifice during Zeon's retreat from Odessa. These experiences reinforce May's disillusionment with bureaucratic and political interference in weapons development.
During the war's final month in U.C. 0079, May participates in Operation Apocalypse, evaluating three critical prototypes. He oversees testing of the aquatic MSM-07Di Ze'Gok, witnessing pilot Werner Holbein's death after a successful attack. He protests the deployment of the MP-02A Oggo mobile pod, recognizing its prior approval for mass production renders testing meaningless; this assignment results in the death of Captain Monique Cadillac's younger brother Erwin during combat.
At the Battle of A Baoa Qu, May is forced to pilot the MA-05Ad Big Rang mobile armor without prior experience. Utilizing its size and armament effectively, he destroys multiple Federation units while resupplying Oggo pilots, earning temporary enemy recognition comparable to famed ace Char Aznable. The Big Rang's destruction occurs during the Zeon retreat, but Monique Cadillac rescues him, making him the only test pilot in the 603rd to survive his assignment. This experience solidifies his understanding of a pilot's perspective, leading him to articulate a commitment to preserving soldiers' memories for future generations.
Following Zeon's defeat, May flees to Axis with Monique Cadillac and Hideto Washiya. He continues as a weapons engineer, contributing to the redesign of the AMX-002 Neue Ziel mobile armor for Anavel Gato's Delaz Fleet. During this project, he identifies generator instability issues and accompanies the unit for delivery, though resource limitations hinder comprehensive repairs.
Dedicated to engineering and data, May approaches his work with enthusiasm for technological potential but feels sadness when successful prototypes are discarded. He maintains honesty in expressing his thoughts and concerns regarding military decisions. His initial focus on technical achievements evolves as he repeatedly witnesses test pilots sacrifice their lives for flawed or politically compromised projects, deepening his awareness of war's human cost.
Early assignments include evaluating the QCX-76A Jormungand plasma cannon during the Battle of Loum, where targeting failures necessitate his frontline observation. Subsequent missions involve testing the YMT-05 Hildolfr mobile tank on Earth, where he learns Zeon leadership plans to discard it regardless of results, and assessing the EMS-10 Zudah mobile suit. Propaganda promotes the Zudah as advanced despite known structural flaws, culminating in test pilot Jean-Luc Duvall's heroic sacrifice during Zeon's retreat from Odessa. These experiences reinforce May's disillusionment with bureaucratic and political interference in weapons development.
During the war's final month in U.C. 0079, May participates in Operation Apocalypse, evaluating three critical prototypes. He oversees testing of the aquatic MSM-07Di Ze'Gok, witnessing pilot Werner Holbein's death after a successful attack. He protests the deployment of the MP-02A Oggo mobile pod, recognizing its prior approval for mass production renders testing meaningless; this assignment results in the death of Captain Monique Cadillac's younger brother Erwin during combat.
At the Battle of A Baoa Qu, May is forced to pilot the MA-05Ad Big Rang mobile armor without prior experience. Utilizing its size and armament effectively, he destroys multiple Federation units while resupplying Oggo pilots, earning temporary enemy recognition comparable to famed ace Char Aznable. The Big Rang's destruction occurs during the Zeon retreat, but Monique Cadillac rescues him, making him the only test pilot in the 603rd to survive his assignment. This experience solidifies his understanding of a pilot's perspective, leading him to articulate a commitment to preserving soldiers' memories for future generations.
Following Zeon's defeat, May flees to Axis with Monique Cadillac and Hideto Washiya. He continues as a weapons engineer, contributing to the redesign of the AMX-002 Neue Ziel mobile armor for Anavel Gato's Delaz Fleet. During this project, he identifies generator instability issues and accompanies the unit for delivery, though resource limitations hinder comprehensive repairs.